Mike Hay: Why you can never write off massively determined Eve Muirhead

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Mike Hay is well-versed in knowing what it takes to enjoy a successful Winter Olympics.The former Perth curler was, after all, Team GB’s Chef de Mission at both Sochi 2014 and Pyeongchang 2018.And to trace back further, he helped guide the women’s team to Olympic gold at Salt Lake City in 2002.

Who could forget Rhona Martin’s stone of destiny?Hay reflects on those special memories with a smile.Having taken a step back for this month’s showpiece in Beijing, the former Perth High student will be glued to the television and cheering on the best of Britain across a range of sports.Particular attention, obviously, will be paid to the curling where two of Perthshire’s own – skip Eve Muirhead and fifth Mili Smith – are vying to return with a memorable medal.For Muirhead, this will impressively be her fourth Games and Hay’s message was clear: “You can never write Eve off”.“She came back, won the Europeans and then was pretty commanding in the Olympic qualification,” he added.“There are other favourites in Sweden, Canada and Russia.

I think they will be very tough.“I know Eve was bitterly disappointed in Pyeongchang. If it wasn’t going to be the final, she certainly wanted that bronze medal.“The difference between third place and fourth is huge.

You are an Olympic medallist for life but fourth place is tough to remember.“Eve has a new team and it will be interesting to see how they play.“But I have absolutely no doubt that she can handle the pressure and handle the big moments.“There aren’t too many skips out there that can do that, or many that certainly have the same experience she has got.“It’s hard to believe that this is her fourth Games.